Golf grip hand structure efficiency device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A golf grip hand structure efficiency device and a method of using the device are disclosed. The device is used determine a value of a new parameter for a golfer called a golf grip hand structure efficiency value. A golfer&#39;s determined golf grip hand structure efficiency value is used to determine base gripping and swinging structures for the golfer within applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes or may be used in any other desired manner.

BACKGROUND

Athletically speaking, a golf swing in and of itself is not a complexactivity to learn and master, despite a reputation to the contrary. Infact, it is relatively easy compared with many other common activities,both inside and outside the realm of sporting activities. Swinging atand hitting an object that just sits still in fact requires lessphysical strength to perform well, less hand-eye coordination, noreflexes, and so on. However, there are a few unique attributes to thegame of golf that are not present in most other activities. And to thosepeople having insufficient experience and/or knowledge, certain of theseattributes can make it appear that a golf swing is harder than it reallyis. Prominently among these attributes is that a golf swing, in thenormal course of playing the game, is performed while regularlyswitching between different individual golf clubs from one swing to thenext (up to fourteen clubs are currently permitted under the rules).

And there is no such thing as a perfectly made and/or fit golf club,ever, so golfers need to constantly make adjustments to their swing(s).While such adjustments are frequently small, they are neverthelesscommonly noticeable, and these inconsistencies that take place areregularly believed to be swing flaws regarding an activity thathistorically has been believed to be difficult. Compare this with mostother activities, where even with a piece of equipment that is notperfectly made and/or fit, a performer will commonly be performingrepeatedly with the very same piece of equipment. This allows theperformer to become increasingly used to the specific piece of equipmentand oftentimes results in the individual being able to perform quiteproficiently with the equipment.

But the game of golf does not traditionally have this kind of luxury.Even if a set of golf clubs is fit theoretically perfectly to a golfer,yet due to manufacturing and construction tolerances that can still bedetected by golfers, one swing might be made with a golf club thatperhaps has a slightly different grip size than the last swing, the nextswing might be made with a golf club that has a slightly differentbalance, and so on. Furthermore, very poor and incorrect clubfittingtheories and practices in several areas, and which in certain ways havegotten worse in recent times, have commonly resulted in even moreswinging inconsistencies for golfers within a so-called matched set ofclubs than there used to be.

To further illustrate, if certain golf club specification values of aclub are a decent fit for a golfer, he or she might be able to swing theclub well all day long and it may be believed (by the golfer and/orswing instructor as applicable) that the golfer cannot really swing anybetter. And at some point, the golfer might switch to any given secondgolf club and find that he or she also swings that club very. But then,rather uniquely, the golfer might return to swinging the first club, thevery same club that was swung well at what might have literally been oneminute earlier, and all of a sudden the golfer does not and cannot swingthe first club well anymore (while the second club continues to be swungwell upon switching between the two). This is not an unusual happeningat all and routinely occurs when one golf club fits a golfer's swingbetter another club in one or more ways.

So in hindsight, and even though the golfer was able to swing the firstgolf club quite well (for a while anyway under limited circumstances)because it was partly a good fit for the golfer's swing, the swings madewith the first club were pretty obviously not the best that the golfercould make and the initial assessment about that was incorrect. And withone of the unique attributes of the game of golf being this routinechanging between different individual clubs for successive swings, thiskind of almost vicious circle of events just described can go onforever, leaving golfers, swing instructors, and/or clubfitters asexamples with questions and confusion unless and until effective devicesand/or methods are developed that can overcome such occurrences.

Fortunately, a solution(s) is now available. And the plain fact is thatthere is only one way to soundly put an end to that described above.This way is make certain that base golf swing specimens for golfers asstarting points for far more successful swing improvement and/orclubfitting processes are always performed absent the influence of anygolf clubs on the swings of golfers, golf clubs that fundamentally leavea golf swing in a state of perpetual adjustment and inconsistency. Thetraditionally applied manner of creating so-called base swings forgolfers for the purpose of implementing golf swing instruction and/orclubfitting processes as examples by having golfers swing with at leastone of their current clubs is a badly flawed foundational basis and veryinappropriately termed in all such instances. And it has unfortunatelycontributed to the development of many misconceptions and faulty golfswing and clubfitting theories and practices that remain in existencetoday.

Unknowingly, the golf industry as a whole over time has in fact adoptedcertain elements that can be considered foundational predecessors to thepresent disclosure, this primarily being the traditional grippingstructures taken by most golfers today of either overlapping orinterlocking parts of their hands in the course of forming their golfgrips on their golf clubs. But the reason(s) for the existence of thiscommon element among golfers has never been properly understoodthroughout the golf industry. Consistent with earlier comments, thereason most commonly given when the subject comes up is that the elementexists because a golf swing is so hard to learn and perform. But thismakes no sense when evaluated in a logical manner.

Although not effectively utilized to this point, the true reason for theexistence of this element is to be able to effectively perform a truebase golf swing that is consistently unaffected by the eternalimperfections in the constructions and fittings of golf clubs forgolfers. The present disclosure that includes a golf grip hand structureefficiency device and an accompanying method of use helps to soundlyovercome these past insufficiencies and helps to create vastimprovements in swing instruction and/or clubfitting techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is of a hand gripping structure of a golfer as taken on a golfclub device, which provides an essentially straight and rigid objectthat is common to both hands and keeps the hands in alignment with eachother along the axis of the golf club device in the course of a swing;

FIG. 2 is of an efficiently formed hands-only gripping structure whereno golf club device is needed to keep the hands in alignment with eachother in the course of a swing;

FIG. 3 is of an inefficiently formed hands-only gripping structure wherethe hands are not able to be kept in alignment with each other withoutan aiding device;

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device;

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice;

FIG. 6 is a larger cutaway of a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 18;

FIGS. 7 through 12 are of a swing sequence where a golf grip handstructure efficiency device and a golf club device are simultaneouslyused;

FIGS. 13 through 18 are of a swing sequence where a golf grip handstructure efficiency device alone is used;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart that comprises at least one generalized method ofimplementing a golf grip hand structure efficiency device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following opening information defines, describes, and/or clarifiesmany (though not all) terms, expressions, and/or details as usedthroughout this specification, including the claims, unless the specificcontext indicates otherwise:

The term golf swing (or more simply swing) is not just limited to a fullgolf swing and applies to any part or parts of a swing. This cancomprise but not be restricted to any part of a backswing, forwardswing, follow-through, and/or any part(s) of a pre-swing period inpreparation for a swing. From an analysis point of view, a swing mayeven comprise one or more still images and/or stoppages of movementthroughout the course of a swing;

A golf club device may be defined as a completed golf club, or anypart(s) of or substitute part(s) for a golf club intended to substitutefor at least part of a golf club. The context of this disclosure unlessotherwise expressed focuses primarily on one element of a golf clubdevice that is assumed and expected to, when placed in or about thehands of a golfer, provide a substantially rigid object (or similareffect thereof) that is common to both hands and capable of helping orforcing the golfer's hands to stay in an alignment with each other andwork together as a single unified unit throughout the course of a swing;

A golf club device within the context of the present disclosure isgenerally (though not always) considered to be a device to be avoided oreliminated as being a bad influence on an attempted performance of afoundational golf swing. Alternately, a golf grip substitute device, andwhile a particular form of a golf club device, is generally (thoughagain not always based on its exact usage) considered to be a good andadvantageous device when used properly. And it can be defined here as anobject intended to be substantially rigid in nature (just as describeddirectly above), but with a design feature(s) that aims to eliminate allundesirable effects that perpetually imperfectly made and/or fit golfclubs (or golf club parts) can have on a swing in an attempt to create afoundational swing;

The term structure(s) as applied, which can refer to gripping and/orswinging, is broadly defined as certain specified mechanicalconfigurations regarding the way a golfer forms a gripping structure inorder to perform a golf swing, where any difference in grippingstructure will commonly (though not always) result in a difference(s) inswinging structure. Though not expressly limited to the following, themost common gripping structures referred to in the present disclosureare structures using only the hands with no added object(s) of any kindlocated within or about the hands (hands-only structure), using a golfgrip hand structure efficiency device within or about the hands (with orwithout the addition of a golf club device), and using a golf gripsubstitute device. Again, each various gripping structure could in turnaffect a subsequent swinging structure, with the focal point(s) being onthe actual structures and with no regard to any (subsequent) performancefactors associated with hitting a golf ball for instance;

When discussing trying to make a golfer's swing better and/or trying tofit golf clubs to a golfer better in any manner, terms including but notlimited to advanced, applicable, or correct swing and/or clubfittingimprovement, development, or instruction might or might not be combinedwith terms including but not limited to methods, processes, systems, orprograms as examples and can be considered interchangeable andsynonymous with each other. Applicable swing improvement and/orclubfitting methods through which the most benefit can be gained from agolf grip hand structure efficiency device and a method of use for thedevice have previously been thoroughly disclosed;

A base golf swing or swing (specimen) is a swing principally created andperformed for the purpose of further proceeding with applicable swingimprovement and/or clubfitting processes for a golfer. The swing iscreated using a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided grippingstructure by a golfer as determined with the aid of using a golf griphand structure efficiency device. The term reference swing is also abase swing, but a swing that could be created by another golfer (or itcould potentially be a swing that is computer generated for instance)and whose swing is selected and attempted to be emulated by the baseswing of the golfer targeted for improvement (though this typicallyworks differently for a clubfitting process);

Even if no applicable swing development and/or clubfitting processeswill be further pursued, even if a determined goal is to more simply tryto improve a golfer's gripping hand structure efficiency based onresults from using a golf grip hand structure efficiency device (whichwill, if successful, ultimately improve the golfer's swinging structurealthough in a different manner), and even if there is no reference swingspecimen chosen for the golfer to emulate, the golfer will still possessa base swinging structure whose gripping structure should be determinedconsistent with if a swing improvement and/or clubfitting program wereto be further pursued. An analysis of a base swing performance by thegolfer could still be very valuable toward determining any subsequentcourse of action for the golfer;

A primary solution provided (though not necessarily the only solutionprovided) by a golf grip hand structure efficiency device is a golf griphand (gripping) structure efficiency value for a golfer. This valuemight alternately and synonymously be referred to as a reading, rating,or other comparable term. And while this disclosure regularly refers tothe value in the form of a percentage, this is largely for explanatorypurposes and this particular feature is not required. A golfer'sgripping structure efficiency value may be developed and provided in anydesired format(s) depending upon any number of factors like the type(s)of sensor(s) used, the type(s) of data measurable by the sensor(s), theconfiguration(s) of any related analysis software, and more;

There is little that can be done regarding potentially changing andproperly interpreting the term golf grip or any expressions containingthe term. The term can commonly refer to either a physical golf gripcomponent that is part of a completed golf club and held onto by agolfer, or a manner in which a golfer forms his or her hand (structure)around a physical golf club and grip. The term must be evaluated withinthe context it is used in on any given occurrence. For instance, withinthe expression golf grip hand structure efficiency device, the term golfgrip refers to the latter of the two descriptions above. But for theexpression golf grip substitute device, while not intended to be part ofa completed golf club, the term golf grip there refers to a discretephysical object that is more related to the former of the twodescriptions above;

Steps provided in the specification, including the description andclaims, are not required to be performed in the specific orderpresented. To cite just one example here, and while basically anoptional procedure, the use of a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice might be simultaneously combined with the use of a golf clubdevice. Doing so might provide valuable supplemental baseline datainformation about a golfer that can be used toward determining arecommended gripping structure for the golfer's base swing performance,whereas without such information a developed, perhaps one-size-fits-allchart might be the only reference information available from which tomake a decision. (The term reference chart could refer to paper,computer-provided information, or other possible manifestations). And ifimplemented, using such a combination of devices may be done eitherbefore or after using just a golf grip hand structure efficiency deviceon a golfer;

For simplicity, the sensor and measurement types described in thisdisclosure will basically be limited to a somewhat common sensor unitavailable today, that being an orientation-type sensor (preferablywireless) that, among various measurements such a sensor unit typicallyprovides is an orientation reading of the device in three-dimensionalspace. This would be one very good protocol for a golf grip handstructure efficiency device. If, for instance, each hand of a golfer hadsuch a sensor device strategically placed about it, then theorientations of each sensor (and resultantly each hand if testing isperformed appropriately) can be independently measured throughout thecourse of a swing. Supplemental software might be developed and used tocompare the orientation values of each sensor/hand both independentlyand relative to each other at one or more determined points of the swingand perhaps provide one or more calculated golf grip hand structureefficiency values for a golfer. Because computer- or software-generatedvectors can generally be formed to extend through and beyond such sensordevices to produce axis lines that might be helpful for analysis and/orunderstanding purposes, terminology like the axes of, through, or aboutthe hands or similar might at times be used in place of terminology likesensor and/or hand orientation(s);

However, keeping in mind the foundational recommendations of a golf griphand structure efficiency device, these being the ability of thehardware and/or software device to measure the movement(s) and/orposition(s) of each hand independently throughout the course of a swingmade by a golfer, and the ability to analyze and/or compare the data toaid in determining a golf grip hand (gripping) structure efficiencyvalue for the golfer, there are various other sensor and/or measurementtypes that can also accomplish the device recommendations veryeffectively. A sampling of other possible (with some likely unknown)sensor types (any of which might be configured for just atwo-dimensional analysis instead of three dimensions if appropriate),and which might be utilized alone or in combination with any number ofother sensor types, might include but not be limited to accelerometers,gyroscopes, magnetometers, AC or other magnetic sensors, lasers, tiltsensors, ultrasonic technology, or optical sensors (including videocameras), with or without the use of tracking markers placed on thehands;

While more than one sensor of any given type may be needed in order tomeasure the movement(s) and/or position(s) of a golfer's handsindependently throughout the course of a swing made by the golfer, asingle sensor unit capable of simultaneously measuring the value apredetermined parameter in multiple determined locations (such as butnot limited to a video camera where some type of computer vision programmight be able to track the hands independently of each other) may ofcourse be used if appropriate for the needed task(s). The sensordevice(s) may be placed within the hands in a similar manner to the waya golf club/grip would be held on to, around the outsides of but stillin contact with the hand(s), totally removed from any physical contactwith the hand(s) (like with using a video camera at a distance), or acombination of any of the above. The expression about the hands may beused in the disclosure and broadly represents any of the above;

Aside from orientation parameter values as noted above, other potentialmeasurement types (with some likely unknown) about the hands(individually and/or relative to each other), which might be utilizedalone or in combination with any number of other measurement types,might include but not be limited to rotations of the hands, angles ofthe hands along a determined plane(s) in space, distances betweendetermined points of each hand and/or between determined points of eachhand and a determined reference point, or the raw or adjusted sensordata as measured by the sensor(s) such as sensor acceleration, whichmight be used in part to reconstruct and/or visually display themovement(s) and/or position(s) of a golfer's hands throughout the courseof a swing by the golfer and which might enhance the accuracy and/orunderstanding of a desired analysis. Any sensor(s) and/or measurementtype(s), alone or in combination with any other sensor(s) and/ormeasurement type(s), may be utilized as desired toward achieving thedescribed requirement(s) of a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice;

While it would seem the game of golf, primarily due to one of the game'sunique attributes of regularly making successive swings with differentindividual pieces of equipment, would be among the biggest benefactorsof a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and its method of use,use of the device is certainly not limited to just the game of golf.There are uncounted other activities, both within and outside the realmof so-called sporting activities (perhaps a contractor working with aspecialized tool as one example), where the device can be extremelybeneficial toward analyzing and/or improving the activities and theparticipants in the activities (for which the name given to the devicehere might be altered some). This could include but not be expresslylimited to improving the performance structures of participants in theactivities as well as improving the fitting and/or making of anyequipment related to the activities. The device and/or device use,essentially as disclosed herein but just adapted for use in an activityother than golf, is deemed covered by this disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a golfer with a formed gripping structure on a golfclub/grip, before a swing is begun. For a right-handed golfer aspictured, the right hand 20 is the lower hand while the left hand 22 isthe upper hand for a traditionally taken gripping structure. The handsare securely formed around a partially shown golf club (golf clubdevice), which as shown comprises a golf shaft 24, which extendsessentially to the top of the club 26, and over which a golf grip 28 isinstalled that extends to the top of the club 26. Golf grips themselvescan oftentimes be rather pliable in nature in part to help achievecertain desirable surface characteristics for golfers and also to aid ingrip installation as a couple of examples. But once installed over agolf shaft that is substantially rigid and straight in nature,particularly over the segment of the shaft/grip that is traditionallyheld onto by a golfer, then the club segment held onto becomes asubstantially rigid and straight golf club device. The centerlinerunning through the length of the golf club device is shown as 30.

Even upon a very brief visual analysis of FIG. 1, it might be observedhow the golf club device will force the hands of the golfer to remain inconsistent alignment with each other throughout the course of a golfswing. In isolated ways the hands can still move independently of eachother, one example being that the bottom hand 20 will typically be movedat a somewhat faster rate than the top hand 22 around what would be theapproximate point of club/ball contact in the course of a golf swing.But the more important element here is that throughout the course of aswing, and due to the presence of the substantially rigid and straightgolf club device, the hands will be forced to remain in alignment withand relative to each other along the axis line provided by the golf clubdevice, which is common to both hands.

It is noted here that the gripping structure taken by the golfer in FIG.1 is the most common among golfers, that being an overlapping grippingstructure where the little finger of the right hand 20 is actuallyplaced on top of (overlaps) the index finger of the left hand 22.Intermediate steps of how this gripping structure is commonly formed,while not crucial here, are described well in previous documents. But itis important to be aware of this structure based on what follows. It isalso important to note here that even if the hands were instead adjacentto one another and no overlapping were present, or even if the handswere totally separated from each other with some amount of gap inbetween them, and whether one likes it or not, the hands would still beforced to remain in alignment with each other throughout the course of aswing along the substantially rigid and straight axis that is presentdue to the golf club device that is common to both hands.

These starting circumstances seem good toward a golfer being able toconsistently perform an accurate base swing. And they are, at leastuntil golf clubs are brought into the scenario. With the regularswitching between individual clubs on successive swings being anintegral part of the game, with no such thing as a perfectly made or fitgolf club, and with even average players commonly being able to sensedifferences between clubs (even if unconsciously) and constantly makingswing adjustments as a result, (even if unknowingly), the seemingly goodstarting point(s) described above takes a turn for the worse veryquickly. As a matter of fact, these circumstances, being unsolved anduncorrected in the past, have over time helped to create a massive butunjustifiable reputation of a golf swing being far more difficult thanit really is and a similar reputation that uncounted golfers have flawsin their golf swings when in fact they do not.

In order to correct these past errors and unwarranted reputations thathave hurt the game over time, a critical process to develop is forgolfers to be able to perform base golf swings absent the influences ofany golf club devices, which might be a completed golf club or even partof a golf club that could negatively impact the swing performance of agolfer away from his or her truest and most consistent base swingperformance. And yet in order to accomplish this, a stability of thehands as described regarding FIG. 1 and an ability of the hands tofunction together as essentially a single unified unit, as if a golfclub were always present as in FIG. 1, must be effectively achieved.Otherwise, and even if no golf club device is used, any undesiredmovement(s) and/or position(s) of either of the hands of a golferthroughout the course of a swing will potentially cause just as much (ifnot more) error and/or inconsistency at any given point(s) of the swing(compared with the golfer's truest possible base swing) than if theswing were performed using a poorly constructed and/or fit golf club(s).

In light of this, FIG. 2 displays a very solid hands-only grippingstructure of a golfer. Using an overlapping hand gripping structure herealso as described some above, that particular structural element is anextremely effective aid toward being able to form a golf grippingstructure where the hands can work together as effectively a singleunified unit, even in the absence of any golf club device. The left-hand22 thumb 32, hidden by part of the right hand 20, extends further intothe right hand 20 due to the overlapping structural element of the handsin the course of forming the grip, where the left-hand 22 thumb 32 isable to be grasped by the two middle fingers 34 of the right hand 20.The result is a formed hands-only gripping structure, comparable to if asubstantially rigid and straight golf club device were present withinthe hands and being held on to, with both hands secured along a commonaxis 36, and with no golf club device present that can prevent thegolfer from performing and creating the best and most consistent baseswing that he or she is capable of.

A brief overall comparison between the gripping structures of FIGS. 1and 2 may or may not visually display some seemingly natural grippingstructural changes that commonly eventually take place between when agolf club device is actually present and when one is not. Such changesmight or might not seem natural early on if and when a grippingstructure such as that in FIG. 2 might be pursued. But such alterationsmay ultimately become very natural, almost instinctive in nature, and tosome degree might even be considered necessary in order to form aneffective hands-only gripping structure. Additional details of somecommon gripping structural adjustments that are frequently made betweenwhen a golf club device is actually held on to and forming a hands-onlygripping structure can be found in previous documents.

Prevailing beliefs in the game of golf still mostly surround theteaching(s) that traditionally accepted and specialized golf grippingstructures like the overlapping grip, with another one being a similarinterlocking gripping structure, should be learned on an actual golfclub/grip first, with the reasoning remaining that a golf swing is somuch harder to accomplish well than most other activities. And then, ifever performed, the gripping structure learned on the golf club/gripshould be migrated with any needed adjustments over to a hands-onlygripping structure. But this is the complete opposite of the truth andperhaps partly explains why the game of golf has previously been unableto learn these principles properly and maybe why the game has beenbecoming less popular in recent times. It is under a hands-onlycondition where gripping structures like the overlapping grip shouldfirst be effectively learned so that a golfer can learn how toefficiently and consistently perform his or her best swinging structureand truest base swing. Thereafter, it is the learned hands-only grippingstructure that should be migrated with any needed adjustments over to agolf club device gripping structure. This is correct and there isnothing else that even comes close to making any logical sense.

In moving on to FIG. 3, this is an example of a rather inefficienthands-only gripping structure that would not produce good base swing andbase swing structures for a golfer. It is not a desirable conditionunder which a golfer can create a satisfactory base swing for furtheruse within more advanced and efficient swing improvement and/orclubfitting processes. And unfortunately, the gripping structure shownin FIG. 3 is very representative of the hands-only gripping structuresof countless golfers (although such situations can be corrected throughthe implementation of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and amethod of use for the device).

Of prime importance, note that the axis line 38 through or orientationof the right hand 20 is visibly at a different angle than the axis line40 through or orientation of the left hand 22. And the hand positioningdisplayed is before the golfer's swing has even begun. More often thannot, such a discrepancy at the start will tend to get worse at one ormore points of the swing than it was at the start. And this commonlyleads to grip and swing structure attributes for the golfer that arediscernibly different from what the golfer's truest and best base gripand swing structure could and should be. It is noted here that anychanges in the movement(s) and/or position(s) of either of the handsanywhere in the course of a swing can in turn affect the movement(s)and/or position(s) of the entire body of a golfer from head to toe,commonly significantly so and easily noticeable.

Such changes can occur in uncounted varying manners and degrees and bevery inconsistent in nature, thus greatly (and negatively) affectinggolf swing efficiency and consistency. Such changes can include but notbe limited to the extent or range of the backswing, the directions andamounts of movements of the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and theconsequent filtering down of these changes to all other parts of thebody as well, any of which can occur at any point(s) of a swing. Theentire swing can become fundamentally totally different in naturecompared with swing performance when the hands are consistentlyfunctioning more as a single unified unit together throughout the courseof a swing. Under such circumstances, and regardless of whether golfswing improvement and/or clubfitting processes are involved, no twoswings can be legitimately compared against each other when the handgripping structure efficiency of one swing is so different from the handgripping structure efficiency of the other swing at one or more commonor comparable points of the swings. The gripping structures of bothswings need to be (made) substantially comparable before any reasonablecorrelation(s) could occur. Based on this, the gripping structure of agolfer remains one of the most important elements (if not the mostcritically important element) toward efficient and consistent base swingperformance.

Because the little finger 42 of the right hand 20 is visibly present inFIG. 3, this is one indicator that there is no overlapping of the handsand that the gripping structure taken is that of a ten-fingered orbaseball-style gripping structure/style. That is a style more similar togripping structures taken in many other activities, where the hands 20and 22 are more simply just placed adjacent to each other. Nevertheless,there are still uncounted golfers, many though not all being lessexperienced players, who utilize such a hand gripping structure forplaying the game of golf. It is noted here that a ten-fingered orbaseball gripping style when implemented in a hands-only configurationcan be known for producing a structure having discrepancies between theaxes or orientations of the hands throughout the course of swinging (nota good thing).

But this is not always the case. Similarly, just because a golfer mightimplement an overlapping or interlocking hands-only gripping structure,this is no guarantee whatsoever that the golfer will achieve aconsistent axis or orientation among the hands like that portrayed 36 inFIG. 2. Due to all kinds of variables, uncounted golfers that haveoverlapping or interlocking hands-only gripping structures may still beshown to have notable discrepancies (again not a good thing) between theaxes or orientations of the hands at one or more points of a swing. Eachgolfer is a unique person that ideally should be tested individually.With that said, a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and amethod of use for the device are now described in more detail.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice. The lengthwise centerline of the device is shown by 44. Thecenter section of the device 46 might be one single piece of materialthat extends to both sides of the centerline 44 of the device. There isno specific requirement that the length of the material be equal on bothsides of the device centerline 44 and may be altered as desired. Theapproximate length of the center section 46 might be roughly in therange of two to five inches. The center section 46 should generally becomposed of a material(s) comprising features of as flexible, small indiameter, and light in weight and mass as possible or practicable. Atits ideal best the device as a whole, including any and all of itsindividual components, should mimic nothing, but practically shouldcomprise as little as possible being within or about the hands and aslittle as possible being sensed.

One possible material that comes to mind for the center section 46 mightbe silicone or a similar type of rubbery material or composite. Thematerial(s), which will fundamentally be placed where the two handsmeet, needs to permit as much freedom of movement as possible for eachhand independently. This includes but is not limited to any changes inthe angles of the hands, rotational changes of twisting or torquebetween the hands, and/or any distance changes between determined pointson each hand. And the material(s) chosen must be strong enough towithstand such forces to a determined amount without breaking. There arelikely numerous different materials or compounds that could meet suchrecommendations, including but not at all limited to possibly a smalldiameter coiled spring made of metal if desired.

The outer sections 48 of the length of the device should be constructedof a more rigid material(s), largely due to a requirement of needing toplace sensors on these sections just slightly outside the boundaries ofthe hands, and in a secure manner such that the sensors will ideally notmove independently of the parts of the hands closest to the sensors,which would happen if the sensors were attached to more flexiblesections that extended beyond the hands. Thus, parts of these sections48 closer to the center section 46 will be firmly secured within thehands, while the outer parts of sections 48 will have sensors firmlysecured to them. Sections 48 might be potentially constructed withnumerous different materials or material compounds, adhering as best aspossible to certain other recommendations noted above of being as smallin diameter and as light in weight and mass as possible or practicable.

Possible materials might comprise but not be limited to a type ofstrong, rigid plastic, aluminum, or graphite or some other type ofcomposite or compound material(s). While recommended features such as(though not limited to) keeping the device as small as possible indiameter overall (different sections of the device need not be the samediameter in design), and stating a very crude (but not bound by) rangehere of one-eighth to one-half of an inch in diameter, certaincircumstances might warrant some deviation. As just one of many possibleexamples, if the sensor(s) component of the device is found to be largerand/or heavier than anticipated, then an overall increase in thediameter of the device (though as little as necessary) might bewarranted in order to eliminate or reduce as much as possible anyunwanted sensor movement that does not coincide or coordinate withactual hand movement throughout the course of a swing. Device sectionsmay be made solid or hollow as another example of possible featurechoices.

The joints 50 connecting sections 46 and 48 may be of variedconstruction as desired. The joints might be permanently formed with anappropriate adhesive suitable for all involved materials. Alternately,the joints might be designed for assembly and disassembly withchangeable or replaceable sections, perhaps at least in part to be ableto adjust the device to the hand and/or gripping structure sizes ofindividual golfers as well as possible, which may lead to better overallresults when using the device.

One or more reference markers, such as a visible dot or some otherphysical feature at one or more locations along the length of the devicemay be provided in order to aid in placing a specific part of the deviceat a specific part of the hand structuring. One such location mightcommonly be at the centerline point 44 of the device, where such a pointmight be referenced and perhaps placed where it is determined that thetwo hands meet each other within a golfer's gripping structure.

The current design of certain features of a golf grip hand structureefficiency device have been dictated by and developed due to the factthat wireless sensors as a general whole still appear to be too largeand/or heavy to be able to, as one desired possibility or preference,more simply embed them in determined strategic locations into a lengthof silicone rubber, a wrapped alternative, or a similar material(s)and/or construction(s) of the length and diameter needed in order tomake the device function well. Similarly, such wireless sensors as ageneral whole still appear to be too large and/or heavy to be able toexternally attach them to such a length of silicone rubber or similarmaterial(s) in determined strategic locations (and where sensorplacements could be varied to perhaps provide more device versatility)and have them contained within the hands when utilizing the devicewithout the sensors interfering too much with the gripping and/orswinging structures of a golfer. But when such sensor technologyimproves sufficiently, such embodiments are desired, expected, andconsidered disclosed and covered by this specification.

And comparably, if a wired sensor(s) might not interfere with thegripping and/or swinging structures of golfers as much as currentlythought (relative to an otherwise similar device configuration withoutany wire[s] present), then such a sensor type could certainly beutilized, it can be much smaller than its wireless counterpart, and aneffective golf grip hand structure efficiency device design might turnout quite differently than the embodiments presented herein.Nevertheless, device embodiments using such a sensor type are considereddisclosed and covered by this specification.

Wireless sensors as components of a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice are represented by 52 of FIG. 4. The sensors may be supplied aspart of the device or might be provide separately. An orientation-typewireless sensor unit as described here commonly comprises hardware partsthat might generally include but not be limited to various sensors typeslike an accelerometer(s), gyroscope(s), and magnetometer(s), along witha microprocessor(s), a wireless data transmitting component(s), and oneor more batteries, which may or may not be rechargeable in nature. Adiscrete sensor unit may be designed for use with a golf grip handstructure efficiency device comprising hardware components that meet theneeds of the device more precisely. This might include a dedicatedcasing or enclosure and/or fastening mechanism to work more convenientlywith other design attributes of the device. However, there are alreadyoff-the-shelf sensor hardware units that, perhaps with somemodification, might possibly be adapted for use as part of a golf griphand structure efficiency device, even if more inconvenient for use thana dedicated sensor unit design. Motion and/or position data measured bythe sensor(s) might be sent wirelessly to a discrete device capable ofrunning an associated software component, or a golf grip hand structureefficiency device may be a completely self-contained unit that displaysa result(s) itself as technology might allow.

The sensors 52 might be made for portable attachment to and removal fromthe outer sections 48 of the device based on some of the followingreasoning, but this is not an absolute recommendation and the sensorsmay be permanently attached as desired. When considering the varioussizes of hands that individuals have that play the game of golf, fromjuniors to full-grown adults, and also considering how potentiallydifferent the gripping structures of individuals can be even among thosehaving comparable hand sizes, distances from one end of a hand grippingstructure to the other, along an axis line comparable with that of whena golf club is held on to, can vary extensively among individuals thatplay golf, from roughly five inches and perhaps even less for smallerjuniors, to ten inches and perhaps even more for adults having largehands.

With that noted, it can now be further noted that a length of a golfgrip hand structure efficiency device that is too long or short for agolfer can cause problems and have potentially devastating consequencesdepending upon various details. Of these two, a device length that istoo short is usually more serious in nature. If the device does notextend completely through the gripping structure of a golfer's hands(this will be further detailed below when describing a method of use forthe device) such that both ends of the gripping structure are not ableto secure and control the device at those points (not the only importantbut nevertheless very important points) throughout the course of aswing, then measurements provided by the device could potentially bevery inaccurate regarding what the hands are actually doing. Thus, if aone-size-fits-all (lengthwise) version of the device were made and itslength design determined to be eight inches, then there might be anotable number of golfers for which the device may not functionacceptably on.

Alternately, and depending upon the finer details of various elements, adevice length that is noticeably longer than needed for any given golfermight also potentially result in unreliable device measurements and/orinconvenience(s) in using the device. For instance, a junior having agripping structure hand span of only six inches, if trying to use aone-size-fits-all version of the device made to a length of twelveinches as perhaps a somewhat exaggerated example, might struggle with anotable protrusion of the device extending from one or both sides of thehand structuring. A protrusion extending away from the left (top) hand22 would generally be more concerning largely due to its closerproximity to the rest of a user's body and potential effects in thatregard, but unneeded protrusions of the device beyond either end of auser's hand structuring can potentially affect a user's hand and/orswinging structures (sometimes considerably so) thus making measurementsfrom the device, even if scientifically accurate, not very accurate froma perspective of what would like to be achieved using the device. And ofcourse if there are any unmovable sensors about any protruding portionsof the device (particularly if able to move around in a freer and lesssecured manner) and they cannot be operationally turned off under suchcircumstances, then scientific measurements will not represent actualhand movement(s) and/or position(s) due to that and be in error in thatrespect.

In light of these attributes, it might be contemplated to make a golfgrip hand structure efficiency device adjustable in one or more ways,potentially considering various versions for personal and commercialuse. For personal use, the device might as one example be initially madelonger than necessary and, with appropriate instruction, be made shorterby cutting or other process as a one-time task by a user or otherqualified entity to best fit the length of the device to the currenthand structuring of the user. If done so, such an expected task mightinfluence the material(s) used and/or certain other design features ofthe outer sections 48 of the device. Alternately, a commercial versionof the device that might be expected to perform equally well on alltypes of different hand sizes and/or gripping structures might insteadhave portable sections 48 that are available in different lengths andthat could be changed as needed to fit various golfers.

For these reasons, the ability to portably attach and remove sensors 52from the outer sections 48 of the device is a feature that can becontemplated and implemented as desired. The outer sections 48 of thedevice do not necessarily need to be of the same lengths on both sidesof the centerline axis 44 of the device. Due to the general nature ofgolf grip hand structuring and then further adding in some of the finerdetails, it might ultimately be found that the lengths needed for theouter sections 48 of the device are commonly somewhat different,relative to a determined center point of the device, for the left (top)22 and right (bottom) 20 (for a right-handed golfer) hand areas of manygolfers. Surface texture(s) and/or material(s) hardness might also berelevant features to consider for any given component(s) used in themaking of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device. Aone-size-fits-all design can still be considered and might still be veryeffective if any of the effects of the conditions presented above arefound to be not as problematic as currently evaluated. An appropriateinvestigation might be performed regarding what single length might bebest to accommodate all or the most possible golfers and provide thebest overall results. And of course the device may still be produced ina selection of different distinct lengths (unchangeable by design).

FIG. 5 shows a different embodiment of a golf grip hand structureefficiency device, one that in certain ways might be simpler in overalldesign, easier to use, and/or more effective toward the goal(s) of thedevice and/or its use. As in other presented figures, the right hand 20and left hand 22 are displayed. In this figure a golf club device 54 isbeing held on to by an assumed golfer, with the golf club device 54 inthis instance comprising at least a composite of a shaft and grip asshown, with perhaps one or more other components not shown. The pair ofwireless sensors 56, both of which may be of the same design, bythemselves can represent a very effective golf grip hand structureefficiency device. In fact, with a possible exception of using adifferent container and/or mechanism for attaching the sensor to anotherobject for use, the inner component design of the sensor unit 56 mightbe the same as that of sensor unit 52. The sensor units might otherwisebe suitable for use in both embodiments, but they certainly do not haveto be.

In a case where a generalized off-the-shelf hardware sensor unit mightalready exist that could be adapted to work suitably for thisembodiment, even if as a temporary measure, then it would be thesoftware measuring, analysis, and/or solution component(s) of theoverall device that would comprise the most novel element(s) of thedevice. In fact, given this particular embodiment, the softwaremeasuring, analysis, and/or solution programming and/or application(further described below) could solidly stand on its own merits as apatentable inventive method, and this specification takes the positionthat it does so successfully herein. But with that said, one or moreelements of the device hardware and/or its usage are disclosed thatcomprise one or more unique features of its own anyway.

The placements of the orientation sensors 56 are located on the outsidesof the hands, substantially opposite of where or in line with thecenters of the palms on the insides of the corresponding hands. Theseare very good data collection points for the sensors 56 in helping tomeasure and analyze foundational orientations of each of the hands as awhole and yet independently of one another throughout the course of aswing, with such sensor units frequently being able to also providesupplemental information like movement(s) and/or position(s) data ofeach of the hands throughout the course of a swing. The locations of thecenters of the palms of the hands and corresponding locations on theoutsides of each of the hands are determined.

These locations might generally be easier to determine, and mark asdesired, before the hand gripping structure is commenced. In most cases,visual inspections of the relevant areas of the hands and determinationsof sensor locations may suffice. Sensors may be attached to the hands atthe determined locations before or after the gripping structure isformed. For reference purposes, axis lines 58 for right hand 20 and 60for left hand 22 are provided as indicators that sensors 56 placed onthe outsides of the hands have been substantially aligned with thecenters of the palms on the insides of the corresponding hands.

While very good sensor locations to obtain relevant data from, thesesuggested locations are not the only ones from which very good andrelevant device data can be obtained. Other very good locations toobtain relevant data from could be as close as possible to where thehands at both ends of a golfer's gripping structure end (furtherdescribed below and locations that the embodiment of FIG. 4 is shown touse). These can also be very important measurement and data collectionpoints for the device and golfers that would be kept or forced to be inalignment with or relative to each other when a golf club device is usedwhen forming a gripping structure. It is noted here that measurementpoints do not necessarily need to be located at similar positions on orabout each of the hands (for instance positioning one sensor unit in thecenter of one hand and another sensor unit at the end of the other hand)and this feature may be adjusted. Thus, other determined sensorlocations may be utilized as desired.

Securing sensors 56 to the backs of the hands might be effectivelyaccomplished in any number of various manners. One possibleconsideration could be temporary adhesives or adhesive tapes, of whichthere are numerous different types available. Such a fastening systemwould, mentioning just a couple of aspects here, need to firmly securethe sensors to the backs of the hands while preventing any appreciablemovement of the sensors throughout the course of swinging due to thenatural stretching characteristic of skin on the hands (not to mentionmaking sure the sensors do not come totally off in the course ofswinging). Unwanted sensor movement in this regard could cause errors inmeasurements and subsequent analysis results. And yet, while the sensorsthemselves need to avoid any extraneous movement as much as possiblethat does not coincide with what the underlying hand is foundationallydoing, the skin under and around the sensors must retain as much of itselasticity as possible or the gripping and/or swinging structures of agolfer could potentially be affected. The effects of these aspects arelikely relatively small and not as severe as they sound when described,but they are nonetheless relevant considerations if choosing anadhesive-type fastening system.

Common sense dictates that the smaller and/or lighter the sensor unitscan be, the more effective any types of adhesive fastening systems mightgenerally be and/or the more options there might be for effective typesof adhesive fastening systems. So this element would seemingly be aconstant goal for sensor design and construction for a golf grip handstructure efficiency device, not ruling out a wired sensor(s) forinstance. Just a few potential kinds of adhesive systems might be asensor casing that has an adhesive side to it appropriate for attachmentto and removal from a hand. The adhesive side might be capable of reusea certain number of times and/or there might be a replaceable adhesivecomponent that could be attached to the sensor casing. Alternately, aVelcro-type system might be deemed better, where parts of the systemmight have to be attached to both a sensor and a hand prior to thesensor being affixed to the hand. Or perhaps more simply and with noadhesive component contained on the sensor itself, a sensor might beattached to a hand in various manners using a suitable adhesive tapeover the surface of the sensor and hand. Or one or more Band-Aid-typefasteners might be used having no adhesive at its center where a sensormight be positioned under for example, so that the sensor (casing)itself does not have any adhesive transferred to it during use. Such afastener or any part(s) of the fastener may even be custom made to thedimensions of the sensor utilized for more efficient use of the adhesivesystem and device overall.

Other fastening system types might be considered also. A known swinganalysis application that uses a similar sensor hardware device attachedin substantially the same location requires that a golfer's own golfglove be worn, with the sensor device being designed to firmly attach tothe Velcro-type enclosure located about the back of the glove (and handwhen the glove is put on), a common standard type of golf gloveenclosure. Golf gloves are specialty gloves worn by many (though notall) golfers that might be helpful some toward playing the game. Butsuch gloves are traditionally and typically worn only on the topgripping hand 22. Thus, for a golf grip hand structure efficiency deviceimplementing such a fastening system, it would likely be an extremelyawkward sensation for most golfers to wear such a glove on the bottomhand 20, with a substantial possibility of unwanted changes to grippingand/or swinging structures as a result. And even before any sensorsmight be affixed to such gloves, the potential already exists forunwanted changes to gripping and/or swinging structures just due to thefit of any such golf gloves themselves. But such a fastening system maybe considered for either or both hands if desired, as the systemotherwise appears to work satisfactorily at first glance.

Other sensor fastening systems can also be considered and utilized asdesired. Yet another possibility might include but not be limited to anelastic band or comparable material that is temporarily or permanentlysecured to a sensor and can be placed around all or part of a hand inorder to keep the sensor firmly in place at a determined locationthroughout the course of a swing. However, and for reasons stateddirectly below, any part(s) of a sensor fastening system that encroachesanywhere upon the inside part(s) of a hand may be undesirable in nature.Because the hands can move independently below the joints of the wrists,sensors should never be placed at or above joints of the wrists, as thatdefeats the purpose of the device and using the device as designed.However, adding one or more sensors above the joints of the wrists canbe done to measure and/or analyze other important golfing parameters notfurther elaborated on here. Of course aspects not limited to theconvenience of use for any user of a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice and/or any discomfort or other undesirable effects regardingitems like adhesive use on the hands are always very important aspectsto take into consideration.

One advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 5, and with the device beingsituated about the outsides of the hands, is an ability to also swingwith a golf club device in hand. While not necessary in order to use agolf grip hand structure efficiency device extremely effectively, theability to be able to swing with the device alone and no other object(s)in or about the hands, and also be able to swing with the device whilealso adding a golf club device in hand, can provide some valuablesupplemental information to consider aside from what might bereferencing a developed chart for determining certain solutions. Whilethis can potentially be done when using the embodiment of FIG. 4, itwould generally require temporarily fastening the device to a golf clubdevice and then swinging with the compound device. In addition to beingmore cumbersome to accomplish (and in some cases it might not bereasonably accomplishable at all depending on device design), there areimmediate concerns regarding undesirable (and feasibly to largerdegrees) gripping and/or swinging structure changes for any given golferunder such conditions.

Any measurement(s) taken and/or analyzed under the condition ofsimultaneously using a golf grip hand structure efficiency device and agolf club device is considered to be baseline information and dataregarding a golfer's gripping and/or swinging structures. And theembodiment of FIG. 5 would generally be much more efficient in gatheringand/or analyzing such baseline information and data more accurately. Nowin many if not most instances, baseline swings might be expected to beperformed using completed golf clubs, keeping in mind that there is nosuch thing as a perfectly made and/or fit golf club, with suchdeficiencies perpetually negatively affecting the gripping and/orswinging structures of golfers. In some cases where the construction andfit of a club are excellent for a golfer or the golfer uses a golf gripsubstitute device, obtained baseline gripping and/or swinging structuredata might turn out to be somewhat close to gripping and/or swingingstructure data obtained from an eventual base swing performed andcreated by the golfer. But this possibility of close results undercertain circumstances should never be depended upon at the point(s)where the gathering and/or analysis of any baseline data would typicallybe implemented for a golfer. And any baseline information obtainedregarding a golfer's gripping and/or swinging structures should never byitself be used to determine certain critical solutions such as thegolfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value.

Nevertheless, even if obtained baseline information is not particularlyaccurate, and even though the use of a golf grip hand structureefficiency device by itself would still be required regardless ofwhether any baseline data is acquired at one or more points throughoutthe course of a golfer's swing, any baseline data acquired for thegripping and/or swinging structures of the golfer could still providesome very valuable reference information and data. Any such data couldprove very useful toward analyzing every level of golfer having any golfgrip hand structure efficiency value that is determined in the end,although it might be found that any such supplemental referenceinformation is often used quite differently for different golfers.

Baseline information and data could for example potentially help revealnuances or patterns in the gripping and/or swinging structures ofindividual golfers or even groups of golfers over time. The informationmight for instance help supplement any developed reference chartprovided to help determine a golfer's gripping efficiency value, a chartthat otherwise may have to be followed more blindly. Circumstances thatare unique or extenuating in nature will always be encountered sometimeswhen testing. And under such circumstances, provided reference chartinformation, no matter how good it might otherwise be, could be veryinsufficient and/or inaccurate. Baseline information and data could beextremely valuable, and not just under circumstances that are extreme,unique, and/or extenuating. Baseline information and data can beacquired either before or after information and data acquired using agolf grip hand structure efficiency device alone.

In keeping with the goal(s) of the present disclosure, a predominantreason for acquiring optional baseline data is to help obtain solutionslike a golf grip hand structure efficiency value for a golfer and iffurther done a determination of whether the golfer should create a baseswing using a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided grippingstructure most accurately. However, due to the uniqueness of a golf griphand structure efficiency device, gathering and analyzing baselineinformation and data using various golf club devices might also beinstrumental toward improving golf club devices (of which golf clubs,golf club components, and golf grip substitutes all fall under), testingdevices including reference materials toward obtaining solutions, andmore.

Briefly mentioning a couple other various types of hardware that couldpotentially be used toward making a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice, there is a wireless sensor ring that can be worn on a finger ofa hand and where the movement(s) of such a ring can be tracked. Usingtwo such rings might work well, where in order for the rings to be theleast intrusive on a hand gripping structure they might be placed on theindex finger of the right hand (62 of FIG. 2) and the little finger ofthe left hand (64 of FIG. 2). These are two very valid locations (thoughnot the only possible valid locations) from which to obtain neededmovement and/or position data about each hand independently. Yet anotherpossible hardware embodiment might be virtual-reality-type gloves wornon both hands. This would be quite different from the possible wearingof golf gloves discussed earlier, with virtual-reality-type apparel(including gloves) generally having uncounted motion and/or positionsensors permanently or portably contained in or on it, commonly but notnecessarily wired in nature. Such a sensor system could potentially bemodified for use as a golf grip hand structure efficiency device inorder to acquire the relevant data and/or analysis. Other types ofhardware and/or hardware configurations might also be suitable for, maybe considered for, and may be used as desired for a golf grip handstructure efficiency device.

Attention is now turned to software features for the device to aid inobtaining the desired solution(s). As noted earlier, this disclosurewill largely describe one particular measurement parameter for moresimplicity in describing the device, that being a three-dimensionalorientation value of an orientation-type sensor in space, and thus ofthe object the sensor is attached to, generally described as a vectorline running through the sensor. Most such sensors have certainpre-installed and/or accompanying software features to perform suchtasks and display such results.

However, any other predetermined parameter(s) may be measured andutilized instead of or in addition to the orientation values of thehands in order to acquire the desired data and arrive at the desiredsolution(s). And the data and solution(s) largely sought (simplifyinghere some also) from a golf grip hand structure efficiency devicecomprise, accurately and simultaneously measuring the movement(s) andposition(s) of each hand of a golfer independently of each otherthroughout the course of a swing, sometimes under different specifiedconditions, displaying the measurements in some form as both independenthand measurements and comparative hand measurements (for certain deviceversions this particular information might not be made available), andcalculating a solution(s) based on the data in the form of a golf griphand structure efficiency value for the golfer, along with perhaps afurther guideline for whether the golfer might best create base grippingand swinging structures using a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aidedgripping structure for further use in applicable swing improvementand/or clubfitting processes.

While the application may be attempted in essentially real time, it isnot mandatory and hand movement(s) and/or position(s) data from a swingmay be recorded, stored, and/or analyzed at a later time. A golf griphand structure efficiency value is a newly developed parameter orspecification previously not provided by any previous device. Additionalsoftware features might include additional inputted measurements notlimited to where the locations of any or all sensors are along thelength of the golf grip hand structure efficiency device, where thesensors are located in relation to the gripping structure, and the spanof the gripping structure, starting before a swing is commenced and withthe ability to measure any value changes for isolated individualparameters as well as relationships between various parametersthroughout the course of a swing. For any golf club device(s) used,various parameter values of the device(s), as measurements individuallyor measurements relative to another parameter(s), might be very valuableto input and analyze for further help in arriving at a desiredsolution(s).

In addition to fundamental orientation values as described, which on avisual monitor might appear as just a simulated pair of hands basicallyremaining centered on the monitor but changing positions over the courseof a swing (and this alone would be a wonderful implementation of a golfgrip hand structure efficiency device), sensors used may also be capableof providing motion tracking and/or other very useful data such assensor acceleration for instance. With the availability of certainparameters, a graphical representation might be formed that more closelyand realistically reproduces the actual swing of a golfer from beginningthrough end (at least the movements and positions of the hands for ourpurposes) instead of having to observe the hands more simply movingaround in substantially the center of the monitor. Being able to includesuch a feature might help the analysis and/or understanding of datameasured by the device. Provided information might potentially bepresented relative to or superimposed upon a displayed reference linesegment or developed applicable graphic configured or calculated to movein accordance with that of a golf grip/club throughout the course of aperformed swing.

A very rudimentary software application might compute just an average(or maximum) differential in measured orientations of the hands relativeto each other at one or more determined points of a swing, with the handorientations relative to each other before the swing begins beingrelevant (see further below). A more involved application, however,might have the capability of a more detailed analysis that wouldpresumably lead to more accurate results and solutions. Such an analysismight include though not be limited to when and where any differentialsin hand orientations occur throughout the course of a swing, how muchany orientation differential is at any given point, in whichdirection(s) and/or directional plane(s) any differentials are takingplace, how abruptly or subtly any differentials increase and/ordecrease, how long any specific differentials last, and more. Videoand/or other graphical representations of the data may be included aspart of an analysis, where such visual aids might help in analyzing,explaining, and/or understanding what is taking place and perhaps why,which in turn might help determine the best solution(s) to proceed with.

An important and helpful feature for a golf grip hand structureefficiency device that might be implemented with hardware and/orsoftware where possible would be a taring feature (a type of calibrationor recalibration) that can provide a starting point of electronicallyaligning sensors in a determined manner even if they are not physicallyaligned as desired (due to error or just being unable to place thesensors on an object[s] such that they can be aligned as desired). Toillustrate, by way of a taring feature, sensors 56 of FIG. 5 might beelectronically realigned at the start of a swing so that they bothappear to be aligned in exactly the same direction even thoughphysically they are often not. And from there, all movements andpositions of the sensors/hands throughout the course of a swing would becalculated as deviations away from the tared positions. This can be avaluable and convenient feature for aiding in analysis. Without such afeature, countless situations would arise where sensor/hand orientationdifferentials would be measured even before a swing begins, and then allfurther measurements throughout the course of a swing would have to bealtered based on what the initial measurements were.

Variances in sensor placement(s) and/or alignment(s) are generally notto be considered deficiencies in the testing equipment, process, and/orgolfers. They are instead natural occurrences, inconsistencies, andnuances where if they could be taken into account, any analysis could bepotentially better and more efficient. A taring feature could help dothis. As just a few of countless examples, even the embodiment of FIG. 4is subject to natural nuances, where a little deforming of the device tosome degree will commonly take place within a golfer's grippingstructure, plus sensors may not be placed exactly the same each time.Different golfers can have countless different hand positions whenforming their gripping structures, thus placing the sensors in countlessdifferent starting positions relative to each other even if placed atthe same basic location about the hands of every golfer.

Additionally, various shapes of various hands and resultant placementdifferences of sensors can change the starting positions of sensorsrelative to each other. Also, even for the same golfer, and even whenhis or her gripping structure remains fundamentally unchanged, thepositions of sensors on the hands, even starting positions before thegolfer even commences his or her swing, can indeed be quite differentwhen only a golf grip hand structure efficiency device is used comparedwith when a golf club device is used. These are very naturally occurringadjustments and yet they can possibly cause delays, inaccuracies,confusion, and/or more throughout a testing process. Hand orientationdifferentials at one or more points of a swing might be measured asbeing inefficient and/or misaligned when they might not be at allbecause a measured hand orientation differential might have beensignificant right at address before the swing even began and was notproperly taken into account.

A taring feature could potentially help a noticeable amount, where itmight aid in better analyzing, explaining, and/or understanding what istaking place and perhaps why, which in turn might help determine thebest solution(s) to proceed. Still, there might be legitimate instanceswhere such a taring feature may not want to be enabled in order toanalyze a specific element(s) that perhaps just cannot be effectivelyanalyzed when such a feature is enacted. This might be more prevalentbut not limited to wanting a more detailed and advanced analysis fordeeper learning and/or research purposes in one or more areas, wheresuch a feature might actually get in the way. A taring feature might beenabled and disabled in various manners, perhaps affected by aparticular embodiment of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device.

Some preliminary research and testing might be done to develop at leastone criterion to be integrated into the software component of thedevice. A selection of golfers might be thoroughly examined for anyswing performance differences when alternating between using only a golfgrip hand structure efficiency device and only a golf grip substitutedevice, with all other testing conditions kept the same as closely aspossible. It might be found that differences in swing performance beginto be noticed among golfers whose measurements using the golf grip handstructure efficiency device show a differential in the orientations ofthe hands of about three degrees compared with swing performance whenusing the golf grip substitute device (which forces the hands to haveconsistent alignments relative to each other throughout). Reference axes38 and 40 of FIG. 3 if desired, and consider a measurable difference inswing performance to occur for golfers whose angle between the axesreaches three degrees at one or more determined points of the swing.

Differences in golfer swing performance when working to establish anysuch criterion might be gauged through any number of analysis means.This can include but is not at all restricted to video analysis (with orwithout any aiding computer software), various other sensor types, someof which might be unobtrusively placed directly on a golfer to measureand/or analyze swing performance (also commonly accompanied by aidingcomputer software), the direct visual observation of a qualifiedindividual, and/or golfer swing feel, elements of which are detailed inprevious documents. Expanding slightly here regarding sensor types,there are more and more virtual-reality-type sensors becoming available,with numerous such sensors commonly being simultaneously placed onvarious parts of a golfer's body, or even worn as a type of specializedbody apparel. Such sensors or sensor systems might be wired or wirelessin nature and may potentially be helpful toward determining how varioushand orientation changes and relationships relate to other swingperformance changes and how much. While possibly very valuable in thisregard, it is difficult to say how much if at all such sensorconfigurations might negatively affect a golfer's swing that wouldotherwise be unaffected by such sensors.

In this example, it was judged that for golfers who exhibited handorientation differentials of three degrees during one or more determinedpoints of their swing when using a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice, compared with their baseline swing when using a golf gripsubstitute device, these golfers had at least one unacceptable change intheir swing compared with golfers that had less than three degrees ofhand orientation differential under otherwise like testing conditions.

It might be determined based on such testing that for golfers whoexhibit three degrees or more of hand orientation differential at one ormore determined points of their swings when using a golf grip handstructure efficiency device, they cannot really have their swingsbefittingly compared against anyone (including their own swing whenusing a golf club device) having hand orientation differentials of lessthan three degrees unless and until certain protocols are followed.Stated somewhat more generally, swings where the hands move indirections not unified with each other and not operating together moreas a single unified unit at as little as one point of the swing cannotbe logically compared with swings where the hands are more unified innature from the start of the swing to the end of the follow-through (byway of an effective hands-only gripping structure or the use of a golfclub device). And one critical parameter and parameter value is how muchdifferential movement there can be between the hands before any notableswing changes take place for a golfer (compared with the golfer's swingwhen the hands are forced to be structured to be more unified innature).

Thus, a foundational criterion might be established, where handorientation differentials of three degrees or more at one or moredetermined points of a golfer's swing, as measured with a golf grip handstructure efficiency device, would generally indicate that the golfershould utilize a golf grip substitute device in the creation of his orher base gripping and swinging structures for further use in applicableswing improvement and/or clubfitting processes. It might be determinedthat this would create the best, truest, and most consistent basegripping and swinging structures the golfer can perform. Alternately,hand orientation differentials of less than three degrees at one or moredetermined points of a golfer's swing, as measured with a golf grip handstructure efficiency device, would generally indicate that the golfershould utilize a hands-only gripping structure in the creation of his orher base gripping and swinging structures for further use in applicableswing improvement and/or clubfitting processes. It might be determinedthat this would create the best, truest, and most consistent basegripping and swinging structures the golfer can perform.

It is to be distinctly noted here that the degree figures presented aremerely for illustrative purposes. Different golf swing improvementand/or clubfitting methods or systems may have certain priorities,goals, and/or developmental procedures that are quite different from oneanother, and any criterion established as a guideline for use with agolf grip hand structure efficiency device could, for many variousreasons, be very different from one such method or system to the next. Acriterion that might be more complex in nature for example, mightconsider hand orientation differentials to have varying degrees ofimportance at various points of a swing as part of its development.

Over the course of the same research and testing, it might be determinedthat a new, extremely critical golf swing parameter is to be developed,named a golf grip hand structure efficiency value of or for a golfer,and that its values will initially be tied to the hand orientationdifferential angle measurements of golfers throughout the course oftheir swings as described above. It might be determined to initiallyprovide golf grip hand structure efficiency values in terms ofpercentages, and based on the above results of the research and testingdone, it is determined that hand orientation differential measurementsof zero degrees at any given point of a swing shall be assigned a handstructure efficiency value of 100%. And from there, for every one degreeof hand orientation differential measured at any given point of a swing,the hand structure efficiency value shall be reduced by 10%.

Based on these criteria and in referencing the preliminary research andtesting done above, the swings of golfers in general started to showsigns of unacceptable or deteriorating swings at hand structureefficiency values of about 70%, and that this would be an initiallyrecommended cutoff point, where the software component, in addition tocalculating and providing a golf grip hand structure efficiency value asjust described, might also be programmed to calculate and show a resultof recommending the use of a golf grip substitute device (which would beexpected to raise the golf grip hand structure efficiency value) in thecreation of hand gripping and swinging structures for all golfers havinghand structure efficiency values of 70% or less. Consistent with this,the software component would alternately recommend the use of hands-onlygripping and swinging structures for all golfers having calculated handstructure efficiency values of higher than 70%.

These elements would be integral parts of a golf grip hand structureefficiency software application, designed for use with measurementsobtained from a golf grip hand structure efficiency device. Such asoftware component might be integrated as part of a golf grip handstructure hardware/software device, and/or the software component mightbe made as a supplementary yet stand-alone component availableseparately from the hardware component. Various software embodiments arepossible perhaps for use with various hardware embodiments, includingbut not at all limited to video analysis.

Based on these new disclosures, it might subsequently be desired as anextremely relevant and helpful further advancement to redefine or morenarrowly define the terms base grip(ping) and/or base swing(ing)structures, for example amending the terms to only be qualified as suchwhen the hand gripping structure efficiency value of a swing is at orabove a certain percentage in addition to any other qualifying termrequirements.

With that, a somewhat simple example of using the device is nowpresented. 66 of FIG. 6 is a larger cutaway of a golfer's hands alongwith the use of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device that isintended to substantially duplicate the embodiment of FIG. 5. Cutaway 66is indicated in smaller proportion in FIGS. 7 through 18. While FIGS. 7through 18 are shown in terms of using the embodiment of FIG. 5, theembodiment of FIG. 4 could certainly be used instead, so I first brieflyreturn here to that embodiment. In referencing FIG. 4 along with FIG. 3,the golf grip hand structure efficiency device of FIG. 4 will be placedwithin and through the hands of FIG. 3 in substantially the same manneras the golf club device 54 within and through the hands of FIG. 5.

The center section 46 of the golf grip hand structure efficiency deviceof FIG. 4 and the device's centerline 44 should be substantially alignedwith a line 68 determined to be an elemental pivot point about which thetwo hands can move independently, which may or may not closelycorrespond to a horizontal (as viewed) centerline of the grippingstructure depending upon various gripping structure elements. Puttingthe sensors 52 momentarily aside, the golf grip hand structureefficiency device should extend at least totally through the span of thehands, marked as 70 and 72 of FIG. 3, with too short generally being farmore devastating than too long regarding obtaining the most relevant andaccurate measurements and analysis.

Still keeping the sensors aside, a device length extending substantiallybeyond either or both ends of the hands (I will use a preliminary figurehere of up to two inches on both sides as being acceptable for thiselement toward not noticeably interfering with a golfer's grippingand/or swinging structures, although undesired effects could potentiallyoccur with less than that) might promote unwanted changes and/orinconsistencies in a golfer's gripping and/or swinging structures,perhaps even unconscious alterations if the device is notably longerthan it needs to be beyond either end of the gripping structure.Provided that essential functioning of the device is not unacceptablycompromised (such as moving its flexible center section 46 so much thatit is no longer placed substantially at the elemental pivot point aboutthe hands), placing any unneeded length of the device so that itprotrudes more out and away from the bottom of the gripping structure 72may be better, as the top of the gripping structure 70 traditionallymoves about much closer to the rest of a golfer's body, which can beinterfered with more easily and with more unwanted effect(s) as a largerlength of the device protrudes from the top end 70.

Placing the base of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device (theembodiment of FIG. 4 but still minus sensors 52) within any otherwisehands-only gripping structure will commonly result in some amount ofdeformation of the device (whereas there would typically be no suchdeformation of a golf club device placed within a gripping structure).This is customarily brought about by certain unique alterations thatfrequently naturally occur when moving from a gripping structure formedaround a golf club device toward a hands-only gripping structure,described in more detail in previous documents. This is not a deficiencyin the device, testing process, and/or golfer. In fact, when isolatinghand structuring adjustments when moving from a gripping structureformed around a golf club device toward a hands-only gripping structure,that is a major efficiency and not a deficiency when accomplished well,and an efficiency that generally tends to deform a golf grip handstructure efficiency device within an otherwise hands-only grippingstructure.

The amount and/or type of deformation along its length could varyconsiderably from golfer to golfer based on individual golfer nuancesand of course the exact design of the device. Such deformation isactually considered a good feature that supports a goal of accomplishingminimal interference of a golf grip hand structure efficiency device onthe gripping and swinging structures of golfers in order to help bringout the truest and most unaffected gripping and swinging structureperformances of golfers. With its advantages noted earlier, a taringfeature could electronically realign sensors of an initially deformeddevice to make the sensors appear aligned, and from that point vitalmeasurements and analysis can still take place very soundly and asdesigned.

In referencing FIG. 3 once again, choosing the length of the golf griphand structure efficiency device of FIG. 4 needs to be determined. If nosensors 54 are considered yet, the device would be placed within thehands and a length chosen that completely covers the span of thegripping structure from 70 to 72, with as little as possible beyond thatto prevent the device from interfering with any parts of the grippingand/or swinging structures. Though not always, the distance between 70and 72 can sometimes increase slightly for various reasons when actuallyperforming a swing, though this is not normally expected to be much(perhaps no more than one-half inch) unless the gripping and/or swingingstructures of a golfer are more unusual. So allowing a small amountextra for this when examining any initial gripping structure might be agood idea, or some practice swings might be made with the device beforea length is determined to see if any adjustment(s) might be made in thatregard.

With the basics of the device now covered, any final length adjustmentsand sensor attachment can be proceeded with. Depending on the size ofsensors 56, enough device length must be provided beyond 70 and 72 tofirmly attach the sensors to, as close as possible to 70 and 72, yet notbinding so tight against the hands that the hands cannot move freely andeven naturally expand some as the case might be. So perhaps a small gapmight best be left between the hand structuring and sensors, butexperience is really the best for deciding how much. The outer sections48 of the device might be adjustable to be no more than needed toaccommodate the sensors. Depending on the exact design of the device,outer sections 48 might be portably adjusted for each golfer withremovable and replaceable components, trimmed on a one-time basis for apersonal user, or adjusted in some other determined manner. Of course ifthe device comes in different lengths, then the best length might moresimply just be chosen. And finally, the sensors are attached to theouter sections 48, just above 70 and just below 72 as viewed in FIG. 3,two very good locations from which to gather relevant measurements. Suchlocations might tend to maximize measured hand orientation differentialswhen compared with other data measuring locations.

Next reference sequential FIGS. 7 through 12 and initially note some ofthe following. While the golf club device 74 (the same golf club deviceis used throughout the sequence) is deemed to be an excellent fit forthe golfer, this is nevertheless always an unknown to some degree. Thus,and while optional as mentioned earlier, this particular sequencecomprises the measuring of some baseline data for the golfer, which ifimplemented may be done before or after swinging with a golf grip handstructure efficiency device alone. In this particular sequence, both agolf grip hand structure efficiency device and a golf club device areused simultaneously. If desired, envision the golf grip hand structureefficiency device embodiment of FIG. 4 being used instead of theembodiment of FIG. 5 as pictured. Both are equally possible. For theembodiment of FIG. 4, however, in order to obtain baseline informationand data regarding the golfer's gripping and/or swinging structures, thedevice in its current form would feasibly need to be attached to thegolf club device first, where thereafter the golfer may perform hisgripping and swinging structures in order to obtain some baselineinformation. This would be both inconvenient and raise immediate seriousquestions regarding how the gripping and/or swinging structures of thegolfer might be negatively affected. This is a disadvantage of theembodiment of FIG. 4 despite the fact that acquiring baseline data is anoptional and not mandatory feature.

Next, temporarily visualize the elimination of both FIG. 4 and FIG. 5embodiments in FIGS. 7 through 12 and instead the use of a video cameraobtaining the sequence shown and its data. While maybe not as ideal forthis particular type of device, it is nevertheless a potentialhardware/software embodiment if desired. A software program typecommonly known as computer vision might for example be able to zoom inon or isolate the gripping structure 66 in all but FIG. 12 and returnvery satisfactory results, perhaps including the adding ofcomputer-generated graphics of measured hand orientations superimposedon the actual video and/or video images, which might help to analyze,explain, and or understand what is taking place even better than certainother embodiments. It can further be pointed out here that, while asecond camera can be placed in a down-the-line or flight-line view (notshown) and the cameras coordinated or synced to obtain morecomprehensive three-dimensional data and analysis, three-dimensionaldata is not expressly required. Measuring and analyzing hand orientationdifferential data in just two dimensions as shown in FIGS. 7 though 12,and along just one determined plane in space, can still be a veryeffective embodiment for a golf grip hand structure efficiency device.

Regardless of what form of a golf grip hand structure efficiency devicemight be implemented, and if available as a feature, one of the firstthings commonly done after the device is placed appropriately about agolfer might be to enact a taring feature. This would commonly apply anytime the device is used. This would be done essentially just before thegolfer commences a swing, which would be in FIG. 7, and just momentarilymoving ahead also in FIG. 13. A taring feature could take into accountany subtleties (or larger) of the golfer, the equipment used fortesting, and/or the use of the equipment as examples. It couldelectronically realign all sensors to be in alignment with either otherand/or a determined reference alignment when the sensors do not end upin actual physical alignment with each other and/or a determinedreference alignment. While the device can certainly be used without sucha taring feature, any alignment discrepancies among thesensors/hands/orientations before a swing even starts would have to becarefully noted and then corresponding adjustments made to allmeasurements and/or results occurring throughout the course of theswing.

In returning to FIGS. 7 through 12 just as presented and alsoreferencing FIGS. 13 through 18 now, the scenarios of two differentgolfers being tested are considered. In beginning with golfer numberone, some baseline information and data is gathered and looked at forswing positions FIGS. 7 through 12, with the golfer simultaneously usinga golf grip hand structure efficiency device (comprising the two sensorson the back of the golfer's hands in 66) and a golf club device 74. Atare function is enacted in FIG. 7, and based upon the tared sensorpositions sensor orientation measurements are simultaneously taken abouteach hand independently at the various swing positions and compared. Abroad, brief look is taken at the results (which might show handorientation differentials of no more than one degree at any of the swingpositions) and no unusual matters of concern are found, so it isdetermined that chart recommendations for the golfer's swing using agolf grip hand structure efficiency device alone can be followed.

The golf club device 74 is removed and the golfer proceeds to form hisgripping structure using only the golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice (66 of FIG. 13). The tare function is enacted and the golferproceeds to make a swing using only the golf grip hand structureefficiency device. Measurements are simultaneously taken about each handindependently at the various swing positions and related to each other.The results are analyzed. The analysis indicates that, along any and alldetermined planes in space, the hand orientation differentials of thegolfer reach a maximum of two degrees among all of the swing positionsdisplayed and analyzed. Thus, the golfer's golf grip hand structureefficiency value is determined to be 80%, and it is further recommendedthat the golfer should best use a hands-only gripping structure in thecreation of the golfer's base gripping and swinging structures for usein applicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting processes.

The scenario of golfer number two is somewhat different. Returning toFIGS. 7 through 12 again, some baseline information and data is alsogathered for this golfer, using the same procedure as that applied togolfer number one as described above. The results obtained are verycomparable to that obtained for golfer number one. The results indicatethat measured hand orientation differentials for the golfer are no morethan two degrees at any of the swing positions displayed and analyzed.This would not be unusual for a large number of golfers, as when using agolf club device 74, which traditionally provides a substantiallystraight and rigid object and which is common to both hands of golfers,the hands are essentially forced to remain in alignment with andrelative to each other throughout the course of a swing. And with nounusual matters of concern found in the baseline information regardingthis golfer either, it is determined that pre-provided chart guidelinesfor the golfer's swing data when using a golf grip hand structureefficiency device alone can also be followed for golfer number two.

The golf club device 74 is removed and the golfer proceeds to form hisgripping structure using only the golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice (66 of FIG. 13). The tare function is enacted and the golferproceeds to make a swing using only the golf grip hand structureefficiency device. Measurements are simultaneously taken about each handindependently at the various swing positions and related to each other.The results are analyzed. In this case for golfer number two, however,the analysis turns out rather differently. While some swing positionssuch as FIGS. 14 and 16 show acceptable hand orientation differentials,FIGS. 15 and 17 positions show hand orientation differentials of as muchas five degrees along at least one determined plane in space. (ReferenceFIG. 3 as needed, axis lines 38 and 40, and visualize a variable anglebetween them 76 [hand orientation differential value] as discussed hereand how the degree of the angle could negatively affect a swing tovarying degrees). The swing positions of FIGS. 15 and 17 are positionswhere more stresses could potentially be placed upon the hand grippingstructure and the hands may be more prone to moving independently of oneanother, so such results might not be extremely unusual.

Thus, the golfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value isdetermined to be only 50%, and predetermined guidelines recommend thatthe golfer should utilize a golf grip substitute device (in order tohelp improve that value) in the creation of the golfer's base grippingand swinging structures for use in applicable swing improvement and/orclubfitting processes. It is anticipated based on these test resultsthat golfer number two will perform and create his best, truest, andmost consistent base gripping and swinging structures when using a golfgrip substitute device, while golfer number one will perform and createhis best, truest, and most consistent base gripping and swingingstructures when using a hands-only gripping structure. Theindividualized base gripping and swinging structures created by and foreach of the golfers can be further utilized within applicable swingimprovement and/or clubfitting processes in order to help each golferachieve the best results possible. Descriptions regarding golf gripsubstitute devices and applicable swing development and golf clubfitting processes are thoroughly detailed in previous documents.

Generally speaking, the use of a golf grip substitute device can beacutely helpful and essentially mandatory for many golfers in order tobe able to reasonably compare their swings to the swings of others (whoby design would typically have higher golf grip hand structureefficiency values within applicable swing development and/or clubfittingprocesses). However, it can have drawbacks and be detrimental if usedwhen a golf grip substitute device is not really warranted and the handsalready function well together as a single unified unit throughout thecourse of a swing when using a hands-only gripping structure. This canbe true even if, for instance, testing shows hand structure efficiencyvalues of 100% for a golfer when testing with a hands-only grippingstructure and a golf-grip-substitute-added gripping structure. Anyeffects would be largely dependent on the exact design of the particulargolf grip substitute device utilized, of which there could be variousdesigns. Thus, any number of device features could adversely affect agolfer's gripping and/or swinging structures over what those structureswould be if the golfer used a hands-only gripping structure.

For the very best results in any further swing improvement and/orclubfitting process, a golfer of any ability should always be tested (orretested as applicable) with a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice before any such process begins, as any new or changed data orother information from any previous testing could potentially criticallyaffect one or more steps in a subsequent process and greatly affectresults. Such data or other information is not simply limited to whethera hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided gripping structure should beused (at the present time), but even a relatively small change in agolfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value could for instanceprompt important changes in one or more subsequent steps of anapplicable swing improvement and/or clubfitting process. Changes mightoccur very slowly over time or might occur very rapidly, and in eithercase they might not even be noticed or recognized. Just a few selectexamples of such commonly occurring changes are changes in the grippingand/or swinging structures of a golfer, modifications and/orimprovements in the golf grip hand structure efficiency devicehardware/software components, and changes in the guidelines for usingthe device and/or applying its results.

The newly introduced parameter of a golf grip hand structure efficiencyvalue for a golfer in conjunction with the device, helps to accuratelyidentify the true underlying gripping and swinging structures of agolfer under the most critical of circumstances in the game of golf,those being when no golf club device is present about the hands thatartificially unifies the hands to work essentially as a single unittogether throughout the course of a swing. The efficiency value of agolfer's gripping hand structure might very well be the most criticalparameter toward how successful a golfer may be ultimately at developingan efficient and consistent golf swing as well as how successful he orshe may be fitted for any golf clubs. Consistently knowing its value(and/or certain underlying parameter values such as hand orientationdifferential values) as provided by a golf grip hand structureefficiency device, can affect subsequent steps and be crucial towardmost successfully implementing applicable swing improvement and/orclubfitting processes. (Though not likely as successfully, using thedevice and the data and results it provides can still be useful andaffect (improve) one or more steps of swing improvement and/orclubfitting processes of non-applicable types not described in previousdocuments).

Among other new features, a golf grip hand structure efficiency deviceand its use in the manner(s) described provide new scientificmeasurements and solutions regarding whether a golfer should utilize ahands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aided hand gripping structure forfurther use in applicable swing development and/or clubfittingprocesses. In previous documents, a systematic way of achieving thistoward creating base gripping and swinging structures for a golfer wastotally and conspicuously missing. Decisions that were much moresubjective and vague in nature in the past can now be made morescientifically, with measurements taken by the device, calculations madeby its software component(s), and any resultant developed guidelines asexamples being very powerful and accurate scientific tools.

Nevertheless, an entire book can likely be written containing uncountedexamples of potential and legitimate exceptions where developedguidelines should probably not be strictly adhered to. Thus, one is notstrictly bound by these scientific readings and/or any developedcriteria in connection with the device and its use. One may use thedata, analysis, and/or any developed guidelines in any manner desired.There will presumably be countless situations where guidelines indicatethat a golfer should best use a hands-only gripping structure towardcreating base gripping and swinging structures, yet a gripping structurethat instead utilizes a golf grip substitute device will be chosen withvery good reason. And the opposite can be reasonably expected as well.But this does not diminish in the least the importance and impact of thedata and guidelines provided by a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice, and how instrumental that data still is toward making a relateddecision.

In light of this, supplemental help may used in conjunction with thedevice as desired in order to help arrive at a best solution for anygiver golfer. This might include but not be limited to any of the typesof devices described earlier that might be used to develop any devicecriterion in the first place, and might be hardware and/or softwarebased. Furthermore, with an anticipation of a notable number ofexceptions to any developed guidelines, it might be helpful to make aneffort to include features that can offer and enable closer and moredetailed looks at various data in a manner where more manual inspection,analysis, and/or decision making could be accomplished if desiredinstead of just being provided with a final solution. This might beparticularly expected of any versions of hardware and/or softwarecomponents that might be considered higher end in nature if variousversions may be available.

Other new types of hardware and/or software devices and/or methods mightbe developed in association with the use of a golf grip hand structureefficiency device and that might be used as supplementary aids inconjunction with a golf grip hand structure efficiency device or asindependent devices and/or methods. Very briefly describing twopotentially new types of swing analysis devices/methods, the firstsurrounds the fact that many swing analysis devices that are sensorbased use only one sensor unit and point of data measurement, attemptingto reconstruct a swing from that data. But with a golf grip handstructure efficiency device using at least two independent datameasurement points about the hands, such data might be used for andresult in more accurately reconstructing swings than in the past. Thesecond surrounds the fact that many swing analysis devices prominentlyfocus on golf club movement(s) and/or position(s) for their analysis. Soany swing analysis device and/or method associated with the use of agolf grip hand structure efficiency device would require some totallynew and/or or different swing analysis and comparison features tofunction aptly that are quite different in nature from any previousswing analysis devices/methods and that might be more effective tools.

In the end, a golf grip hand structure efficiency device can be usedextremely effectively just as a stand-alone hand gripping structureimprovement tool, where no swing development and/or clubfittingprocesses really need to be subsequently implemented at all. (And evenif unknowingly, specifically working on just improving a golfer'sgripping hand structure efficiency may lead to golf swing improvement).The device can be utilized as a self-help tool or type of swing aid fora golfer, even though it is technically just a measuring tool and doesnot currently provide any recommendations regarding how to improve agolfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value if measured ordetermined to be too inefficient. This implementation of the device, inand of itself, is an extremely valuable and powerful tool that can thusbe considered a stand-alone swing improvement and/or clubfitting aidthat can help guide a golfer toward better and more consistent swingingand/or clubfitting performance results, even if no swing improvementand/or clubfitting processes are otherwise subsequently pursued.

Attempting golf swing and/or clubfitting self-improvement (and/or anysmaller elements that they might be broken down into) are very commonand popular endeavors and can be very worthwhile and successful. This ispartly because many commercial or retail swing improvement and/orclubfitting entities have unfortunately developed rather poor records ofaccomplishments and reputations over time (with good reason) and sentcountless golfers away playing notably worse instead of better. Thisreally starts at the very bottom, with the majority of those who teachthe teachers so to speak regarding golf swing and/or clubfittingtheories and practices being very unknowledgeable regarding the subjectsthemselves, and this consequently permeates through the entire industry.And when adding in golfers who are for example quite interested in therather expensive game but also quite limited in what they can do due tofinancial considerations, there are a large number of golfers who preferand/or are forced to not pursue any commercialized swing developmentand/or clubfitting processes and be basically self-taught individuals.

While certain details could be quite different, a golf grip handstructure efficiency device can for example be utilized and be extremelyeffective for analyzing the putting gripping structures and strokes ofgolfers as well, a very important part of the game to very many people.Adjustments can be made to that disclosed as desired in order toaccomplish such a task, still easily being covered under the scope ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a broadly simplified flowchart comprising at least onegeneralized method of implementing a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice and should not by any means be construed as the only possibleimplementation(s) of the device. In light of the disclosure as a whole,the flowchart should be pretty self-explanatory in nature.

While computer implementation regarding any given hardware and/orsoftware feature or component of a golf grip hand structure efficiencydevice and a method of use for the device is not absolutely required inorder to aptly achieve that disclosed and described herein, it isgenerally assumed that computer implementation might oftentimes resultin the making and/or operating of the device in a more efficientmanner(s) and thus should be taken advantage of where possible andpracticable.

A golf grip hand structure efficiency device and/or a method of use forthe device might utilize any of the embodiments, materials, components,constructions, software programming, and/or configurations as described,but are not by any means limited in scope to just that which has beenspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: simultaneously measuringvalues of a predetermined parameter independently about each hand at oneor more points of a swing made by a performed, the swing performedwithout the use of any device that can aid in unifying the hands at anypoint of the swing; analyzing at least one point of the swing, comparingthe measured values of the predetermined parameter about each hand ofthe performer; and calculating a value of a determined parameter thatindicates an efficiency of the performer's grip hand structure.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the predetermined parameter is at least oneof a three-dimensional orientation of a determined point about eachhand, a two-dimensional angle along a determined plane about each hand,an amount of degrees of rotation of each hand from one determined pointof the swing to another, and a distance between determined points abouteach hand.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein three-dimensionalorientation values about each hand relative to each other at the atleast one point of the swing analyzed are compared against referencethree-dimensional orientation values about each hand relative to eachother at a point just before or at the beginning of the swing orcompared against another developed reference criterion.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the golf grip hand structure efficiency value of thegolfer's golf grip hand structure is determined as a percentage that isreduced from one-hundred percent by ten percent for every one degree ofdifference in orientation of the hands relative to each other along adetermined plane at the at least one point of the swing analyzed ascompared against the reference criterion used or determined by comparingagainst another developed reference criterion for determining thegolfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising a golf swing improvement or clubfittingprocess implemented for the golfer, with the golfer using a hands-onlygripping structure when performing a base reference swing if thegolfer's determined golf grip hand structure efficiency value is eightypercent or higher, and a golf grip substitute device about and to helpunify the hands when performing a base reference swing if the golfer'sdetermined golf grip hand structure efficiency value is less than eightypercent, or applying another developed criterion to determine whetherthe golfer should use a hands-only or golf-grip-substitute-aidedgripping structure.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the predeterminedparameter is measured by at least one sensor, the at least one sensorconfigured to be disposed about the hands of the golfer while performinga golf swing, configured so that the hands can achieve movementindependently of one another throughout the course of the swing, andconfigured to simultaneously measure values of the predeterminedparameter independently about each hand throughout the course of theswing.
 7. The method of claim 1, comprising further implementing a golfgrip hand structure improvement, swing improvement, or clubfittingprocess or program wherein at least one output from the method is usedto make at least one decision within at least one step of the process orprogram.
 8. A process comprising: placing at least one sensor deviceabout the hands of a performer, the at least one sensor deviceconfigured to simultaneously measure the values of a predeterminedparameter independently about each hand at one or more points of a swingmade by the performer; having the performer perform a swing without theuse of any device that can aid in unifying the hands; analyzing at leastone point of the swing, comparing the measured values of thepredetermined parameter about each hand of the performer; andcalculating a value of a determined parameter that indicates anefficiency of the performer's grip hand structure.
 9. The process ofclaim 8, wherein the at least one sensor device comprises a tube-likelength of silicone-like flexible rubber, approximately one-eighth toone-half of an inch in diameter and of a length that extends entirelythrough but not substantially beyond the hands of the golfer along anaxis comparable to that which a golf club would occupy, with twowireless three-dimensional motion or orientation sensor units,substantially non-interfering with the hands of the golfer throughoutthe course of the swing, placed within or about the rubber at locationsapproximately where the centers of each hand of the golfer are or otherdetermined locations when the device is placed within the hands.
 10. Theprocess of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor device comprises twodiscrete wireless, three-dimensional motion or orientation sensor units,substantially non-interfering with the hands of the golfer throughoutthe course of the swing, of which each sensor unit enclosure isindependently affixed to the back part of each hand of the golfer,approximately opposite to the center of the palm of each hand or otherdetermined location about each hand.
 11. The process of claim 8, whereinthe predetermined parameter is at least one of a three-dimensionalorientation of a determined point about each hand, a two-dimensionalangle along a determined plane about each hand, an amount of degrees ofrotation of each hand from one determined point of the swing to another,and a distance between determined points about each hand.
 12. Theprocess of claim 11, wherein the golf grip hand structure efficiencyvalue of the golfer's golf grip hand structure is determined as apercentage that is reduced from one-hundred percent by ten percent forevery one degree of difference in orientation of the hands relative toeach other along a determined plane at the at least one point of theswing analyzed as compared against the reference criterion used ordetermined by comparing against another developed reference criterionfor determining the golfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value.13. The process of claim 12, further comprising a golf swing improvementor clubfitting method implemented for the golfer, with the golfer usinga hands-only gripping structure when performing a base reference swingif the golfer's determined golf grip hand structure efficiency value iseighty percent or higher, and a golf grip substitute device about and tohelp unify the hands when performing a base reference swing if thegolfer's determined golf grip hand structure efficiency value is lessthan eighty percent, or applying another developed criterion todetermine whether the golfer should use a hands-only orgolf-grip-substitute-aided gripping structure.
 14. The process of claim8, comprising further implementing a golf grip hand structureimprovement, swing improvement, or clubfitting method or program whereinat least one output from the process is used to make at least onedecision within at least one step of the method or program.
 15. A devicecomprising: at least one sensor, the at least one sensor configured tobe disposed about the hands of a performer while performing a swing,configured so that the hands can achieve movement independently of oneanother throughout the course of the swing, and configured tosimultaneously measure values of a predetermined parameter independentlyabout each hand at one or more points of the swing.
 16. The device ofclaim 15, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a tube-like lengthof silicone-like flexible rubber, approximately one-eighth to one-halfof an inch in diameter and of a length that extends entirely through butnot substantially beyond the hands of the golfer along an axiscomparable to that which a golf club would occupy, with two wirelessthree-dimensional motion or orientation sensor units, substantiallynon-interfering with the hands of the golfer throughout the course ofthe swing, placed within or about the rubber at locations approximatelywhere the centers of each hand of the golfer are or other determinedlocations when the device is placed within the hands.
 17. The device ofclaim 15, wherein the at least one sensor comprises two discretewireless, three-dimensional motion or orientation sensor units,substantially non-interfering with the hands of the golfer throughoutthe course of the swing, of which each sensor unit enclosure isindependently affixed to the back part of each hand of the golfer,approximately opposite to the center of the palm of each hand or otherdetermined location about each hand.
 18. The device of claim 15, whereinthe at least one sensor comprises at least one two-dimensional orthree-dimensional video camera, placed at a distance away from thegolfer so as to be able to comprehensively capture the hands of thegolfer throughout the course of the swing, the at least one camera, inassociation with any needed software elements, configured to determinethe golfer's golf grip hand structure efficiency value.
 19. The deviceof claim 15, comprising a golf grip hand structure or golf swingdevelopment or improvement process or program wherein at least oneoutput from the device is used to make at least one decision within atleast one step of the process or program.
 20. The device of claim 15,comprising a golf club fitting process or program wherein at least oneoutput from the device is used to make at least one decision within atleast one step of the process or program.